WHERE TO FIND THE RICHTERSVELD:
Tucked away on the Atlantic coast in the far northwest corner of South Africa,

The Richtersveld is a remote region; hot, dry and seemingly lifeless. It has a certain esoteric beauty, but why should such a barren place be worthy of World Heritage status? The Richtersveld has both natural and cultural criteria that make it unique. In other words, there’s more to the Richtersvled than first meets the eye.

The Richtersveld National Park is a rugged, desolate and in parts hauntingly beautiful ‘mountain desert’ set in a great loop of the Orange River. It is one of the most important of the country’s conservation areas, not only for the dramatically unique landscapes, but also for its status as South Africa’s first contractual park, an arrangement that brings SANParks and the local community together in a pioneering system of co-management.

This is a place of deep canyons, jagged mountain ranges, landscapes made vivid by the unusual colours of the rocks and soils, of extremely rare succulents plants such as the curious kokerboom or quiver tree and the even stranger halfmens, and in the north by the broad, languid stretches and white water rapids of the great Orange River.

Tucked away on the Atlantic coast in the far northwest corner of South Africa, the Richtersveld’s northern and eastern borders are defined by the “big bend” of the Orange River ( also known as the Gariep, which means ‘Great River” in the Nama language). Its western perimeter lies on the desolated Atlantic shores, which are flanked by the freezing waters of the Benguela Current. Its southern border roughly follows the road linking Port Nolloth on the coast to Steinkopf, which is about 60 kilimoters north of the nearest important town of Springbok.

The past 15 years Umkulu Safari and Canoe Trails has offered some of the Best Orange River Rafting trails through the Richtersveld Desert. Visit www.orangeriverrafting.com for more information.

A Land with 2,000 million years of history to tell... with stunning geological formations and natural sculptures.

where different ethnic groups have come a long way living in harmony and in tune with the environment.

this is one of the most remote and least explored corners of Southern Africa.

the Richtersveld is part of the Succulent Karoo that contains the highest biodiversity of any arid region on Earth.

Ten Things Not to Miss in the Richtersveld:
• Malmokkies, the early morning life-giving fog sweeping in from the chilly Atlantic Ocean which sustains tiny critters and vegetation in this arid region
• The iconic Half-mens (half plant half human), also called Noordboom, from a distance these endemic plants resemble people
• Crossing the Orange River into Namibia on the vehicle pontoon which has been revived after 20 years
• Condensed milk coffee under a violet pre-dawn sky on the banks of the Orange River
• Stargazing in one of the best locations for satellite spotting in the Africa
• Total submergence in the Gariep (Orange) River after a long dusty day
• Kokerboom or Quiver trees ablaze in the setting sun
• Flower season, depending on rains this fragile, breathtaking transformation usually occurs between June and October before the scorching summer kicks in
• An overnight walking trail (only in winter) to truly appreciate the importance of water and the Richtersveld’s delicate ecosystem
• A night or six at an exclusive Wilderness Camp – unwinding compulsory
• RIVER RAFTING ON THE ORANGE RIVER .

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON RICHTERSVELD AND ORANGE RIVER RAFTING CONTACT US AT